Analytical Systems Specialist / Applications Chemist

About Mariana Minerals

Mariana Minerals is a software-first, vertically integrated minerals company on a mission to supply the critical minerals powering modern energy, AI, and defense technologies. We’re reimagining the minerals supply chain by combining deep industry expertise with advanced software, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

Join our Analytical Group as an Analytical Systems Specialist / Applications Chemist, the person we send when a lab needs help. This is a cross-site role based in San Francisco or Houston. You’ll travel to Mariana Minerals labs to troubleshoot instruments and methods, bring new systems online and train the teams who run them, starting with our Lithium One facility. It’s more than running instruments: you’ll learn how they work, how to fix them and how to program them. Between assignments, you’ll work out of the lab closest to you. Recent graduates in analytical chemistry are encouraged to apply.

This is a full-time, salaried role reporting to our analytical lead.

Responsibilities

• Travel to Mariana Minerals lab sites to troubleshoot and resolve issues with analytical techniques, instruments, data quality and method performance
• Help bring new lab systems online and integrated at new sites, starting with Lithium One
• Implement, program and maintain analytical instrumentation, including IC, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF and AA
• Develop, validate and standardize analytical methods and workflows across sites
• Train lab personnel on instrumentation, analytical techniques and best practices
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend improvements to existing systems
• Maintain documentation for methods, SOPs and internal technical guidance
• Work with cross-functional teams to improve analytical efficiency and data reliability

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry or a related field (recent graduates welcome)
• Hands-on experience through research, internships or work with IC, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, AA or similar instrumentation
• Strong understanding of analytical techniques, sample preparation and data interpretation
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort with tools, instrument components and basic diagnostic equipment (e.g., multimeters)
• Enjoys figuring out why an instrument or result isn’t right
• Able to clearly train and support teams at different sites
• Able to work independently on the road and collaboratively with each lab team
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship

Preferred

• Method development, validation or optimization experience
• Familiarity with instrument hardware (plasma systems, optics, vacuum systems, fluidics)

Travel

• Based in San Francisco or Houston; between site visits, you’ll work out of the Mariana lab closest to you
• Travel within the US approximately 50% of the time, up to 75% at times
• Initial training may take place at our Utah or San Francisco labs

Working Environment & Physical Requirements

• Regular work with chemicals and lab instrumentation; standard lab PPE required
• Able to lift up to 25 lbs

Our culture is built on four principles

Everyone Gets Home Safe. We never put speed or cost ahead of people.

Extreme Ownership. We take full responsibility for outcomes, relentlessly driving toward solutions.

Engineer Out Requirements, then Automate. We simplify, optimize, and then automate for scale.

Share Your Legos. We collaborate openly, share knowledge, and empower each other to build bigger, better solutions.

Join us as we build the future of responsible mineral sourcing and supply!